Systems and methods for shipping management

Abstract

A system for shipping management. The system includes a shipping database configured to receive shipping information from a user regarding a package. The system also includes an access point, the access point connected to the shipping database and configured to receive the shipping information from the shipping database. The access point is also configured to measure at least one attribute of the package and send the measured attribute to the shipping database to be added to the shipping information. The system also includes a package drop, the package drop configured to receive the shipping information from the database, accept a package from the user and store the package until pickup by a shipping provider.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for shipping management, the system comprising:
 a shipping database configured to receive shipping information from a user regarding a package;   an access point, the access point:
 connected to the shipping database; 
 configured to receive the shipping information from the shipping database; 
 configured to measure at least one attribute of the package; and 
 configured to send the measured attribute to the shipping database to be added to the shipping information; and 
   a package drop, the package drop configured to:
 receive the shipping information from the database; 
 accept a package from the user; and 
 store the package until pickup by a shipping provider. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point is a kiosk. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point includes a scale. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the scale measures the weight of the package with an accuracy of approximately 0.01 pounds. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point includes a size sensor, the size sensor configured to measure at least one dimension of the package. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the size sensor measures the at least one dimension with an accuracy of approximately 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point includes a label printer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point includes a communication module. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point includes a communication module. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the access point includes a payment input. 
     
     
         11 . A system for shipping management, the system comprising:
 a shipping database configured to receive shipping information from a user regarding a package;   a user interface, the user interface:
 connected to the shipping database; and 
 configured to receive at least part of the shipping information from the user regarding a package; and 
 configured to send the shipping information to the shipping database; 
   an access point, the access point:
 connected to the shipping database; 
 configured to receive the shipping information from the shipping database; 
 configured to measure at least one attribute of the package; 
 configured to send the measured attribute to the shipping database to be added to the shipping information; and 
 provide a shipping label to the user; and 
   a package drop, the package drop configured to:
 receive the shipping information from the database; 
 accept a package from the user; and 
 store the package until pickup by a shipping provider. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface includes a website. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface includes a smartphone app. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface is provided to the user via a touchscreen on the access point. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface sends the information to the shipping database via the Internet. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface sends the information to the shipping database via a Bluetooth connection to the access point. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface sends the information to the shipping database via a NFC connection to the access point. 
     
     
         18 . A system for shipping management, the system comprising:
 a shipping database configured to receive shipping information from a user regarding a package;   a user interface, the user interface:
 connected to the shipping database; and 
 configured to receive at least part of the shipping information from the user regarding a package; and 
 configured to send the shipping information to the shipping database; 
   an access point, the access point:
 connected to the shipping database; 
 configured to receive the shipping information from the shipping database; 
 configured to measure at least one attribute of the package; 
 send the measured attribute to the shipping database to be added to the shipping information; and 
 provide a shipping label to the user; and 
   a package drop, the package drop:
 configured to receive the shipping information from the database; and 
 including:
 a collection box configured to receive a package; and 
 a secure storage configured to receive the package from the collection box and store the package until pickup by a shipping provider. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the collection box includes an electronic lock, the electronic lock configured to:
 secure the collection box when not in use; and   allows the collection box to be opened when a package is expected.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the collection box includes an indicator to indicate to a user that the package may be deposited in the collection box.